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Gulf World Marine Park Sea Turtle Release At Inlet Beach

The crowd of onlookers was thrilled as Gulf World Marine Institute released two sea turtles, Jarhead and Erica, into the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, July 14th at South Walton Lakeshore Drive beach access on a beautiful morning.

Jarhead is a juvenile green sea turtle that was found floating in St. Andrew’s Bay by NOAA authorities on May 31st. The turtle was very thin and struggling to dive at the time of its stranding. Bloodwork revealed that it was suffering from anemia. Jarhead was given iron injections which raised its red blood cell count to a healthy level. It is now eating well and diving.

Erica, is loggerhead sea turtle that was rescued from shallow surf in South Walton on April 26th. Erica was lethargic, unable to dive and had symptoms of pneumonia at the time of her stranding. The turtle was given multiple rounds of antibiotics and antifungals to treat the severe case of pneumonia. Erica has recovered well and is now diving and has gained a healthy amount of weight.

Both turtles were medically cleared to be released and Gulf World invited the public to attend the release event.

Erica the loggerhead sea turtle was stranded at Alys Beach in April

Gulf World Marine Institute operates under the umbrella of Gulf World by Dolphin Discovery as a 501c3 nonprofit and has served as the only long-term marine mammal rehabilitation facility in Northern Florida. The Institute responds to sick, injured or stranded animals, rehabilitates and releases them into the wild and serves as an educational resource to schools throughout our area. The Institute has rescued thousands of sick and debilitated marine animals since 1970.